Adelie Penguins

The Adelie is one of two penguin species that prefers a year-round icy habitat. These images of Adelie penguins were photographed at several locations along the Antarctic Peninsula. We often found them launching themselves 7 feet out of the sea onto the steep incline of sometimes artistically-shaped icebergs. After a climb and a short rest they would gather in a group near the ice's edge, persuade a leader to be the first to make the plunge, then the entire group would rush into the sea to reduce their chances of becoming a meal for a leopard seal ambush. Their circle-of-life includes porpoising great distances and catching as much krill as they can while diving to great depths at sea.